ECO-Leader Designation Questionnaire The ECO-Leader Designation provides recognition for environmentally-conscientious businesses that use best management practices to lessen their footprint on the Maurice River Watershed. Designated Eco-Leaders are committed to preserving community health and promoting economic growth by making a concerted effort to conserve energy, reduce water consumption, manage storm water ecologically, improve water and soil quality, and create habitat. Read the checklist. Respond "yes" or "no" regarding whether you have incorporated these eco-friendly actions into your land management routine or included green infrastructure on your property. Each yes answer is the equivalent of one stewardship point, while no responses represent opportunities to expand on your best management practices. Prospective candidates for designation are those who answer yes to multiple actions in one or more categories and are working on expanding their stewardship in others. Business Name Name of Contact Property Address City E-mail Phone Eligibility Is your company interested in protecting the community's environmental health and economic vitality?YesNoBased on the map below, is your place of business located within the Maurice River Watershed?YesNoIf you answered yes to both questions, your business is eligible for ECO-friendly designation. Answer the questions below to apply. 1. Energy ConservationWe are lowering our footprint on air and water quality by...conducting yearly maintenance of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systemsYesNochanging or cleaning HVAC filters every 30 days during peak use monthsYesNoblocking western and eastern windows from direct sun during summer by using awnings, shade trees, exterior solar screens, and/or solar filmsYesNolowering or turning off the heating or air-conditioning when no one is in the facilityYesNoturning off lights when not in use or installing motion-sensor lights and/or energy-efficient exit signsYesNoreminding employees to turn off computers and other electronics at nightYesNousing natural daylight when possibleYesNoreplacing incandescent light bulbs with LEDsYesNoupgrading from T12 fluorescent light bulbs to T8s or T5sYesNoreducing light pollution (i.e. shielded lighting) and energy waste from over-lighting of parking areaYesNoreducing light pollution (i.e. shielded lighting) and energy waste from over-lighting of parking areaYesNoupdating kitchen appliances with energy-efficient models when replacement is neededYesNoinstalling a Cool Roof that reflects solar energy better than standard black roofs and reduces energy used for coolingYesNoincreasing daylighting (natural light) by adding windows, skylights, solar tubes, and/or reconfiguring officesYesNochoosing light-colored paints and materials for walls, floors, and ceilings to increase daylighting efficiencyYesNocontrolling daylight glare through the use of blinds, sun shades, light shelves, etcYesNopurchasing Green Power from your local utilityYesNo2. Water Conservation We preserve local drinking water supplies by... OUTDOORSreducing grass cover and choosing native plants that require little wateringYesNowatering remaining grass on an as-needed basis versus a set scheduleYesNowatering before 9 am or after sunsetYesNoavoiding watering on very hot, windy or rainy daysYesNoperiodically checking that in-ground sprinklers are watering intended areasYesNoinstalling an irrigation system that is controlled by a moisture-sensing deviceYesNocollecting rainwater to be used in watering planting bedsYesNoinstalling riparian buffers along water bodies with native vegetationYesNobringing company vehicle(s) on an as-needed basis to a car wash that recycles waterYesNoensuring that grounds keepers leave grass and leaf clippings in place, raise lawn mowers to 3-4 inches high, and sweep instead of using water to clean pathways and drivewaysYesNoINDOORSconducting a company water use audit to understand where water demand can be reducedYesNoprioritizing the repair of leaking faucets, pipes, and toiletsYesNotaking pointed actions to curb overall employee water waste indoorsYesNoupdating and maintaining cooling and heating systems to minimize water needs and save energyYesNoinstalling aerators and low-flow or motion-sensing faucets in bathroom and kitchen areasYesNoreplacing outdated toilets and urinals with more water-efficient onesYesNousing tap water and/or a water filter instead of bottled drinking waterYesNopurchasing products/furnishings produced with renewable energy and recycled materialsYesNo3. Reducing Water PollutionWe reduce the amount of contamination flowing off the property by... ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPINGreducing lawn cover by planting native species that require fewer pesticides and fertilizersYesNousing native trees for shade tree considerationsYesNomaintaining the health of mature trees, thereby extending their longevityYesNoreducing use of chemical fertilizers by testing soil before deciding on a fertilizer, calibrating spreader before each use, following label instructions, switching to organic alternatives, and cleaning spills immediately and/or confirming that the lawn service provider is following these basic eco-friendly practicesYesNoreducing the use of chemical herbicides by employing organic products to spot treat only, and/or weeding by hand, and/or requiring the lawn service provider to use these optionsYesNoreducing the use of pesticides by adopting integrated pest management (IPM) practices, or prioritizing the use of IPM when choosing a pest management companyYesNoGREEN PARKING LOTmaximizing green area in parking lots through replacing rarely used parking spots with native flowers, bushes, and trees and/or turf gridsYesNoremoving exotic flora species and replacing them with native ones and/or planting bare areas with native floraYesNoshading paved areas with native large canopy treesYesNocreating planting islands and perimeter gardens using native plantsYesNoinstalling planting boxes with native flowers, trees, and bushes along sidewalksYesNoavoiding the use of road salts after snowfall and selecting salt-free de-icersYesNokeeping snow piles at least 100’ away from streams and floodplains, and piling snow in areas that will allow the melt to soak into the groundYesNoscheduling street sweeping to remove residual salts from parking areasYesNoRUN-OFF REDUCTIONpromoting the flow of rainwater off paved areas into bio-retention areas like bio-swales, storm water planter boxes, tree trenches, rain gardens, planting islands, and native flora perimeter gardensYesNoreplacing impermeable surfaces with porous ones like pavers, plastic grids, and porous asphalt/concrete, or using these options in original designYesNoincluding curb cuts to allow water to run into green areasYesNoincorporating depressions along remaining impermeable surfaces and using native plants to enhance themYesNousing landscape contours to keep storm water perking into the soilYesNodisconnecting downspouts and extending them into garden beds or installing a downspout planter(s)YesNousing rain barrels/cisterns to catch water from downspouts and reusing it in green areasYesNostoring de-icing material on pads and under cover away from rain and storm water flow paths and storm drainsYesNomonitoring septic tanks annually and servicing them every 3-5 yearsYesNoINDOORSswitching to biodegradable and/or organic hygiene products and cleaning agentsYesNodisposing of medicines, paints, cleaners, oils, and other contaminants properlyYesNo4. Creating Stop-over Habitat Between Natural AreasOur facility or property provides shelter, food and water for native wildlife communities by… SHELTERre-creating the characteristics of nearby natural habitat on the propertyYesNobuilding a brush pileYesNoinstalling, maintaining, and monitoring avian nesting boxesYesNoleaving leaf litter and dried plants on the property over winter as mulchYesNoplanting native flora speciesYesNomaintaining or planting a layered arboretumYesNoleaving dead and/or fallen trees to decay when safeYesNoFOODreducing lawn cover and replacing it with native nectar plantsYesNoplanting native flora species that are hosts for specialized fauna speciesYesNoincorporating a variety of native vines, trees, and bushes that bear fruits and berriesYesNoplanting native flora species that provide a source of seeds and nuts, and leaving them to stand through the hard winter monthsYesNoplanting native flora species that bear cones and sapYesNoWATERinstalling vernal pool(s) (a fishless pond simulating natural aquatic habitat that dries up each season to fill up again in the spring)YesNomaintaining a variety of birdbaths throughout the year, changing water every 5 days to avoid mosquito breedingYesNoERADICATING INVASIVE SPECIESbuying only native flora species and no exotic varietiesYesNoresearching the native range, benefits, and disadvantages of each new flora species incorporated into the business’s landscapingYesNoremoving invasive flora species and disposing of them appropriatelyYesNosupporting local native plant nurseriesYesNokeeping gutters clean and free of standing water to avoid breeding mosquitoesYesNo5. Creating a Culture of Watershed StewardshipWe make a difference for community health by…making an effort to share our green infrastructure initiatives with other business and large tract ownersYesNobeing an advocate for water protection with peers, staff, customers, and visitorsYesNocreating an energy-efficient work culture by engaging the employees in an ongoing dialogue about energy conservationYesNosupporting policies promoting watershed health, preservation of natural areas, and the fight against climate changeYesNovolunteering or donating to local watershed and environmental organizationsYesNoTime is Up!
